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MAY, 1874.]
THE BUDDHIST RUINS AT JAMÅL GARHI.
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idol-houses round the walls. In the centre of one retaining walls and the levelling up the ground of the temples, instead of the usual platform, we behind them. Some of these retaining walls are find a number of small circular topes (Fig. 3).. and much as 15 feet high. also some idol-recesses, all placed in an irregular Communication to these ruins is usually made manner, that leads an observer to suppose that they now by means of a rough cattle-track from the were built at different times. This probably was south-west. But a good road, still in fair preservaa mausoleum, and these topes and idol-recesses tion, is found on the east side. Ascending by a were the tombs or memorials of their kings, or gorge some quarter-mile from the ruins, and thence persons of distinction and sanctity.
advancing along the top of the ridge, this road A great number of statues of men, with mous- debouches on a level space to the south-east of temtaches, with jewellery on the neck and right arm, ple No. 5, where the road enters this level platform. and with sandals on the feet, probably those of The remains of a house are found, which probably kings, were found in one of the topes.
was a sort of outpost and vidette on this approach. To the south-east of this temple a staircase-leads Remains of houses are also found on the south down to another temple or mausoleum (No. 4). side of the platform, overlooking a scarped face This, unlike those previously described, is not closed of the hill, and affording excellent defence against in on all sides, but is open on the east side to a court- a force entering by this road. yard. In the centre of this temple are also some No traces of wells or tanks were discovered topes and idol-rocesses, one of which was found during the exploration of these ruins, and the to have been dug into before the ruins were buried, present water-level is some 300 feet below the half of the masonry encircling it being wanting, lowest point of the ruins. In two of the buildings and a depth of débris of 12 to 15 feet precludes any large earthenware ghards were found buriod below idea of this exploring being of recent date, and the level of the floor of the houses. rather tends to support the theory of the destruc- There might have been used as small private tion of these buildings being the work of man, not reservoirs for water, but an equally probablo uso of time. To the south again of this building, and of them was the storage of grain. Whatever may communicating with it by three doorways, is a have been the uses of these ghards, it appears rectangular enclosure (No. 5) 74 feet by 30 feet. probable that the inhabitants were dependent on On the south side are six vaulted chambers, 10 water carried up the hill from below for their sup. feet by 7 feet 6 inches each below the level of the ply, and this alone would precludo any large floor of the enclosure, and with doors all opening numbers living here. to the south. On the west side are two dwelling- The exploration of these ruins has led to the houses, and to the east are two recesses in the idea that they were destroyed by design, and not wall about 5 feet square. To the east of the by natural decay. All the sculptures discuvered, polygonal temple, and some 25 feet from it, is with only one exceptional case, were found thrown a building at a higher level than even the temple down from their original position; and the perfect itself. This building consists of four rooms, two slate in which the sculptures in situ were found on either side á central passage 6 feet wide.
tends to prove that others would have been in an Towards the southern extremity of the ruins, equally perfect condition if time alone was responanother small temple, 20 feet by 13 feet, is met sible for the ruin wrought. with, possessing only three idol-houses at present; These sculptures in situ were a series of baspossibly there were others originally. In the reliefs on the risers of the steps leading up from centre of this temple are two platforms, one 8 temple No. 3 to the polygonal temple. All the 'feet by 7 feet, the other 7 feet by 6 feet.
larger sculptures nearly, that one would have Besides the vaults already mentioned as discover- cxpected to find intact, were broken. In many ed beneath the rectangular enclosure, three other canes large and heavy fragments of the same vaults were discovered. In the first case the vault sculpture were found far apart. The large blocks is entered from the face of a vertical retaining wall- of concrete and kankar that formed the top of the The opening to the vault is 5 feet broad, the platform of the polygonal temple were found scat. vault itself 10 feet by 6 feet. In the two other tered about, tending to the belief that the interior cases the vaults were the same breadth through- of the platform had been examined for treasure. out; possibly these were only the basement stories In exploring these ruins many sculptures were of houses that have been buried by the debris of found, some of very delicate and beautiful carving. ages.
Dividing them roughly into classes, they are The original steep slopes of the hill have, in as follows: many cases, been much reduoed by means of 1. Single figures of Buddha, both in sitting and
• The tope found in temple No. 3 is square in plan from A to B, circular from B to C.
